New Zealand’s Powerco uses SimpliPhi Power’s energy storage solutions

Published 04 October 2017

Powerco has installed SimpliPhi Power’s energy storage solution in New Zealand, as part of a new off-grid renewable energy unit named Base Power.

Base Power, which claims to be an all-in-one system, supplies power to faraway customers of Powerco, as a supplement or alternative to the electricity supply from the grid, where network upgradation and improving supply are not economically viable options.

Powerco claims to have trailed the SimpliPhi’s units for several years and has approved the installation of 20 new units over the next 12 months. The construction work is being taken care of by The Downs Group.

The Base Power units will generate electricity from solar panels and excess energy production is stored in SimpliPhi’s PHI 3.4 batteries. The units are integrated with diesel generator, which can help in generating uninterrupted power, in case of bad weather preventing solar generation.

The units have a robust design so that they can be transported to areas using helicopters, where it is difficult to transport.

Powerco says that it created Base Power in collaboration with The Downs Group for easy and simple operations and maintenance.

SimpliPhi CEO Catherine Von Burg said: “Powerco deserves praise for their disciplined approach to developing an economic model that demonstrated unequivocally the cost effectiveness and reliability of distributed power assets at the fringes of the grid. The utility calculated that off-grid distributed and renewable assets combined with storage is more cost effective than extending the reach of the grid by two kilometers, or having to repair the transmission lines of approximately 20 poles.

“Add to that calculus the environmental benefits of replacing centralized fossil fuel generation and suddenly the cost benefit analysis overwhelmingly supports the Base Power off-grid units - creating a win-win with better energy security for both the utility and their customers.”